Chivu: "I want a dominant team, consistency and humility are key,"

Inter prepares to make their 2025/26 San Siro debut in the Champions League. The Nerazzurri will face Slavia Praha in the second matchday of the group stage. The game is scheduled for Tuesday, 30 September at 21:00 CEST.

On the day before the game, Cristian Chivu spoke at the live press conference from the BPER Training Centre in Appiano Gentile:

What would you like from the team besides the three points? "I have always liked the way we've played, right from the first pre-season match. Of course, the results always impact the way you see it, but recently we have been consistent. We need to recognise that the Champions League is full of challenges: every team wants to get a positive result and in this competition, there are no easy games."

What do you expect from the team in terms of further growth? "I expect consistency, focus, and humility, which this team has already shown. We need to be more dominant and control the play. Opponents can prove challenging, so we need to recognise what to do to secure the win while making it as smooth as possible."

Is there anything about this team that surprised you? "The desire to take control and be resilient in the face of tough situations. The willingness to take on new challenges: this is what makes them a group of real men who want to progress without looking back. They are eager to do whatever it takes to play competitively. They are men of substance and key players, and that's not something to be taken for granted."

The Champions League fixtures look a little easier in the upcoming games. Could that create distractions? "We need to focus on tomorrow's match, without letting ourselves worry about the others. Football and life have both taught me to stay grounded, without looking too far ahead because expectations can lead to disappointment."

Since Akanji's arrival, we haven't seen Bisseck on the pitch. How is he doing? Is there a chance he will play tomorrow? "He's well, and he's training consistently. Sooner or later, we'll see him on the pitch."

Will Bonny have a chance to play? "The players make it difficult for me. I try to find the right moment and give everyone opportunities, because they all deserve it. They're a group with strong values. Unfortunately, I can't reward everyone all the time, but each of them will have their moment".

Will Sommer be back in goal? "I am lucky enough to have 22 players who I consider to all be starters, and I say that because I work with them every day. If someone gives more or less, the responsibility is always mine. Sommer will start: ever since I came here, any changes have always been made to reward skill. We're fully aware of the need to maintain balance."

Have you noticed any improvements in the defensive phase? "We're pressing better, showing more determination to win second balls, and are more focused. What matters is how you take up the pitch and the determination in individual duels; those are the most important aspects. Then it comes down to the character of the top players, who bring out the very best in themselves: in the end, it's always them who make the difference."

Who do you see as a playmaker instead of Calhanoglu, other than Barella? "There's Zielinski as an alternative: he's very skilled and adds something extra in terms of possession. The choices are getting increasingly harder. "

What kind of game do you think it will be? "It will be a tough game, also because we know they're unbeaten this season. I'm sure they'll want to put in a great performance. We need to start focused and play to our strengths: we want to be in control and show the best version of ourselves on the pitch."